Shore tower assembly

ABSTRACT

The tower assembly is comprised of vertically stacked tower sections each of which includes a pair of primary frame structures having end posts and interconnected by frame units in a variable spaced parallel relation so that the end posts constitute corner posts for the tower assembly. A pair of secondary frame structures corresponding to the primary frame structures may be connected to the frame units in a parallel relation adjacent a corresponding primary frame structure, or only one of such secondary frame structures can be so assembled relative to its corresponding primary frame structure. Additionally, the primary and secondary frame structures can be relatively extended upwardly of the tower assembly to support separate loads at varying levels.

United States Patent McCracken 14 1 Mar. 21, 1972 54] SHORE TOWER ASSEMBLY 3,323,271 6/1967 Collins ..l82/l78 [72] mentor: Lyde s. Mccncken Des Moines Iowa 3,564,802 10/1969 Dreyfus ...l82/l78 [73] Assignee: Economy Forms Corporation, Des Moines, Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland lowa Attorney-Rudolph L. Lowell [22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1970 57 ABSTRACT [21] APPl- 73,145 The tower assembly is comprised of vertically stacked tower sections each of which includes a pair of primary frame struc- 52 us. 01 ..s2/637, 52/650, 182/178 having end W and intercmnecwd by in a [51] Int.Cl ..E04h 12/10 variable spaced Parallel relafio that the end Pom 58 Field of Search ..52/637 638 648 650 651- Slime 19sts assembly- A Palir 5 ry frame structures corresponding to the primary frame structures may be connected to the frame units in a parallel relation [56] References Cited adjacent a corresponding primary frame structure, or only one of such secondary frame structures can be so assembled rela- UNITED A S PATENTS tive to its corresponding primary frame structure. Additionally, the primary and secondary frame structures can be 719,188 H1903 Clancy 1 82/179 relatively extended upwardly f the tower assembly to Support zzara separate loads at varying levels. ausey.. 3,037,588 6/ 1962 Causey ..52/637 6 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures Ja\ n l m m I91, I912 /I6b is h [9a- /6b 59 59 11 J8 \aa {75/ W5! .53 1 S10 /9 l 1 I I I711 l l M l I Z i I ,7 ml //7 /9 I /64 ql g m I 1 ll 1| 1 I a 5: /7 I! '1, l7 l7 /7 q I! l U I l; we.

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L YDE J. MCCPACKE/Y SHORE TOWER ASSEMBLY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a tower assembly of a knockdown construction comprised of tower sections each of which has primary and secondary upright load supporting frame structures that are readily interconnected for vertical stacking in a plurality of arrangements. The primary frame structures can be used alone; with corresponding secondary frame structures; or with a secondary frame structure associated with only one of the primary frame structures to provide variable load supporting tower assemblies. Additionally by erecting a tower extension of an arrangement different from but having elements corresponding to the elements in the stacked tower sections, a plurality of the tower assemblies can be used to support loads at multiple levels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a tower assembly in which only primary frame structures are used;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view'of the tower assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail view of an upper adjustable jack unit that is shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional detail view of a coupling unit for connecting together adjacent 'primary frame structures in the tower assembly;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a primary frame structure which forms part of the tower assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a frame unit for connecting together oppositely arranged pairs of primary frame structures;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified form of tower assembly that includes primary and secondary frame structures;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional view'taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lower adjustable jack unit that is shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 7;

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of yet another modified form of tower assembly, adapted to be used in pairs to separately support loads at different'levels on the primary and secondary frame structures thereof;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view as seen along line 11-11 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of still another modified form of a tower assembly showing the use of a plurality of such assemblies for loads separately supported 'at different levels on the primary and secondary frame structures thereof.

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view of a tower assembly shown in 12, and,

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a pair of tower assemblies showing a further modified arrangement separately supporting loads at different levels on theprimary and secondary frame structures of the tower assemblies.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a tower assembly l5 comprised of a plurality of verti cally stacked sections 16 each of which includes what will, for convenience, be termed a pair of primary frame structures 17 interconnected by a pair of frame units 18. Each frame structure 17 (FIGS. 2 and 5) is of a tubular construction and has a pair of longitudinally spaced primary post members 19 connected together by a pair of vertically spaced connecting members 21 extended between the post members 19 and secured thereto as by weldments. A brace member 22 extends diagonally between the connecting members 21.

Each post member 19 on the side, thereof, opposite the side to which the connecting members 21 are secured, carries a pair of vertically spaced clip members 23 of a substantially U- shape in transverse cross section. The base section of each clip member 23 is fixed as by weldments to a corresponding primary post member 19 so that the leg sections 24 are horizontally extended. The leg sections 24 of a clip member 23 are formed with pairs of transversely aligned openings 26 for a purpose to appear later. As best appears in FIG. 5 the vertical spacing of the clip members 23 on a primary post member corresponds to the vertical spacing of the connecting members 21.

Each frame unit 18 (FIG. 6) is of a tubular construction and includes upper and lower horizontal frame members 27 and 28, respectively, which are connected together by an X-brace unit 29 having the diagonal members 36 thereof connected by vertically extended connecting members 31. A horizontal member 27 and 28 is formed at each end thereof with a pair of longitudinally spaced holes 32 and 33. As shown in FIG. 6 each end 34 of a diagonal member 36 of the X-brace unit 29 is located intermediate a pair of the holes 32 and 33. The upper and lower horizontal members 27 and 28, respectively, of a frame unit 18 are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the vertical spacing of the clip members 23.

In the forming of a tower section 16 a pair of the primary frame structures 17 are arranged opposite each other. The opposite ends of the upper and lower frame members 27 and 28 of the frame units 18 are then received between the leg sections 24 of corresponding clip members 23 and secured by locking pins 37 (FIG. 1 and 2) inserted through aligned ones of the holes 26, 32 and 33. The holes 32 and 33 are spaced about a foot apart so that with the primary frame structures 17 and frame units 18 being about 10 feet long, the tower assembly may have its transverse dimension extended in the direction longitudinally of the frame units 18 varied from 8 to 10 feet, in l-foot intervals.

In the erection of the tower assembly 15 let it be assumed that a pair of the primary frame structures 17 and a corresponding pair of the frame units 18 are interconnected, as above-described to provide a tower assembly of a square shape in transverse cross section. Each primary post member 19 of the uppermost tower section 16 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided with an adjustable jack unit 38 (FIG. 3) which includes a cap structure 39 comprising a cover member 41 having a depending tubular section 42 to form a receiving socket. The upper end of a post member 19 is received within this socket in bearing engagement with the cover member 41. Projected downwardly through the cover member and axially into the post member 19 is a jack screw 43 the upper end of which is swivelly mounted in a bearing or load engaging block 44. An adjustable nut 46 on the screw 43 rests directly on the top surface of the cover member 41.

The jack screw 43 is thus retracted or extended relative to a post member 19 in response to the adjustment of the nut 46 to provide for a vertical adjustment of the bearing block 44. A jack unit 38 is releasably connected to a corresponding primary post member 19 by a pair of oppositely arranged locking pins 47 that extend through the tubular section 42 with their inner ends in contact engagement with the screw 43.

To provide for the support of the tower assembly 15 in a vertical position on an uneven or inclined ground surface the primary post members 19 of the lowermost tower section 16 are each equipped at their bottom ends with a jack unit 48. A jack unit 48 is similar in all respects to a jack unit 38 except for the addition of a base plate 49 for carrying the bearing block 44. Similar numerals, therefore, will be used to designate corresponding parts in the jack units 38 and 48.

A jack unit 48 (FIG. 9) is inverted relative to a jack unit 38 so as to receive the bottom end of a post member 19 in atelescoped relation within the tubular section 42. The cover member 41 thus rests directly on the nut 46 for the jack screw 43 so that on extension and retraction of the screw 43 relative to the bottom end of a post member 19 the tower assembly at such post member is raised or lowered.

A bearing block 44 is carried in a centered relation on a base plate 49 which is of a rectangular shape. The block 44 is located within a housing member 51 that consists of an inverted channel member positioned over the bearing block and extended the full length of the base plate 49. The jack screw 43 extends upwardly from the bearing block through an opening 52 in the housing member 51 and into a post member 19.

In the vertical stacking of the tower sections 16 corresponding post members 19 are arranged in an end to end relation and connected together by means including coupler units 53 to form continuous post units or columns which extend the full height of the tower assembly 15.

Each coupler unit 53 (FIG. 4) includes a center plate member 54 having tubular end sections 56 extended laterally from opposite sides, thereof, in a longitudinally aligned relation. The end tubular sections 56, during the vertical stacking of the tower sections 16, are telescopically received within the ends of adjacent post members 19 so that the center plate 54 is located between and in bearing engagement with the adjacent end faces of such post members. The post members 19 are thus longitudinally aligned so that their corresponding side surfaces lie in common planes with the center plate 54 constituting a load transfer member relative to adjacent post members. Connecting pins 57 extended transversely and through aligned openings in the tubular sections 56 and post members 19 releasably connect the post members together for handling of the tower assembly as a unit package.

To substantially double the load carrying capacity of the tower assembly 15 secondary frame structures 17a are connectable with the frame units 18 to form a tower assembly 15a (FIGS. 7 and 8) comprised of vertically stacked tower sections 16a. Each secondary frame structure 17a is identical in all respects to a primary frame structure 17 and is similarly assembled with the frame units 18. Corresponding parts of the frame structures 17 and 17a, therefore, will be designated by like numerals.

In the tower assembly 15a the primary frame structures 17 are connected with the members 27 and 28 of the frame unit 18 at the outer holes 33 in such members. The secondary frame structures 17a are connected with the frame units 18 at the inner holes 32 in the members 27 and 28 so that a pair of corresponding primary and secondary frame structures 17 and 170, respectively, are arranged in a parallel relation and spaced about 1 foot apart. Similarly to the primary post members 19 adjacent secondary post members 19a are connected together by coupling units 53 and the bottom ends of the secondary post members 19a in the lowermost section 16a of the tower assembly 15a are provided with jack units 48.

Jack units 38 are carried at the upper ends of the primary and secondary post members 19 and 19a, respectively, of the uppermost tower section 16a. A load, indicated at 58, is supported directly on all eight of the column structures formed by the corresponding aligned post members 19 and 19a. Since this supported load is distributed uniformly over the cross sectional areas of such column structures through the coupling units 53 the load carrying capacity of'the tower assembly 15a is practically doubled relative to the load carrying capacity of the tower assembly 15 by merely including therein the secondary frame structures 17a.

In FIGS. 10 and 11 there are illustrated a pair of coacting like tower assemblies 15b having the primary and secondary frame structures 17 and 17a, respectively, relatively arranged to provide for the separate carrying of loads at different levels. An assembly 15b is shown as including a lower pair of tower sections 16a and an upper tower section 16b. These lower two tower sections 160 of the tower assemblies 15b include both the primary and secondary frame structures 17 and 17a, respectively, connected together similarly to their showing in the tower sections 16a of the tower assembly 150 described in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8. However, the third or uppermost tower section 16b of a tower assembly 15b is comprised of only a pair of the secondary frame structures 17a connected together by an associated pair of frame units 18.

Adjustable jack units 38 are provided on the top ends of the uppermost ones of the secondary post members 19a and primary post members 19. A first load indicated at 59 is extended between and carried on oppositely facing pairs of primary post members 19 in adjacent tower assemblies 15b. A second load designated at 61 is supported directly on the top tower section 16b. It is apparent, therefore, that the load 61 is carried only by the secondary post members 190 in a tower assembly 15b independently of the load 59. In turn, the load 59 is supported entirely on coacting pairs of primary post members 19 in the tower sections 16a. As a result, the loads 59 and 61, although supported by the tower assemblies 15b, are carried independently of each other and at different levels on preselected column structures formed by the post members in the primary and secondary frame structures and 17 and 17a, respectively.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a still further arrangement of a pair of tower assemblies 15c for separately supporting difierent loads at different levels. Each tower assembly 15c is illustrated as including three lower tower sections 160, a pair of top tower sections 16 and a pair of intermediate tower sections 16c. The tower sections 16a correspond in all respects to the tower sections 16a described in connection with FIGS. 10 and 11 and the tower sections 16 are in all respects similar to the tower sections described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. The intermediate tower sections 160 are each comprised of only a pair of primary frame structures 17 the post members 19 of which are connected by the coupler units 53 in a linear column arrangement with corresponding post members 19 in the tower sections 16 and 16a. The top ends of the secondary post members 19a in the upper one of the tower sections 160 are provided with adjustable jack units 38 for supporting directly a load 62 extended between and through the tower assemblies at the tower sections 16c. A second load 63 is carried on jack units 38 provided at the top ends of the primary post members 19 in the upper one of the tower sections 16.

As illustrated in FIG. 12 the loads 62 and 63 may comprise concrete beams formed in place on the tower assemblies for connection with concrete columns or piers 64 to form part of an over-pass or bridge structure. It will be noted that the load 62 is supported entirely on the secondary post members 19a of the tower sections 16a independently of the support of the load 63 on the primary post members 19.

FIG. 14 shows a still further arrangement of a pair of tower assemblies 15d for separately supporting loads at different elevations. As illustrated each of the lower three tower sections 16d includes a pair of primary frame structures 17 and a pair of frame units 18 connected together in all respects similar to their arrangement in the tower assembly 15 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Additionally, each of the tower sections 16d has only a single secondary frame structure 17a arranged in a spaced parallel relation adjacent only one of the primary frame structures 17.

The uppermost tower section 162 includes only a single primary frame structure 17 and a single secondary frame structure 17a located at opposite ends of their connecting frame units 18. The tower assemblies 15d are relatively arranged so that the secondary frame structures 17a in the uppermost tower sections 16e, thereof, face each other. A first load, designated at 66, is extended between and supported on jack units 38 carried at the top ends of a pair of the post members 19 in the upper ones of the tower sections 16d. A second load 67 extended across the upper ends of the tower assemblies 16e is directly supported on jack units 38 provided at the top ends of the pairs of primary and secondary post members 19 and 19a, respectively, of the uppermost tower sections 16a.

By virtue of the relative arrangement of the primary and secondary frame structures 17 and 17a, respectively, in the tower assemblies 15d it is seen that the higher load 67 may be appreciably greater than the lower load 66, while providing for their independent support in the tower assemblies.

Although the invention has been described relative to several preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A tower assembly comprising:

a. a plurality of vertically stacked tower sections each of which includes a pair of upright oppositely arranged primary frame structures,

b. a primary post member at each end of a primary frame structure,

c. a pair of upright frame units connectable between each opposite pair of said primary post members,

d. first coacting means on said primary post members and frame units for supporting said frame units at selected positions longitudinally thereof on said primary post members to provide for a predetermined variation in the spacing between said primary frame structures,

e. a secondary upright frame structure corresponding to a first one of said primary frame structures,

f. a secondary post member at each end of said secondary frame structure, and

g. second coacting means on said secondary post members and frame units for supporting said secondary frame structure in a spaced parallel relation with and adjacent said first primary frame structure.

2. A tower assembly according to claim 1 wherein:

a. each tower section includes a second secondary upright frame structure corresponding to the second one of said primary frame structures,

b. each second secondary upright frame structure connected by said second coacting means with said frame units in a spaced parallel relation with and adjacent to a corresponding second primary frame structure.

3. The tower assembly according to claim 1 including:

a. a tower unit comprised of a secondary frame structure and a second one of said primary frame structures interconnected by said first and second coacting means with a pair of said frame units, and

b. means for supporting said tower unit on the uppermost one of said tower sections with the primary post members of the second primary frame structures and the secondary post members of said uppermost tower section in vertical alignment with corresponding primary post members and secondary post members of said tower unit, whereby the tower assembly may carry a load on said tower unit independently of any load carried on the primary post members of the first primary frame structures of said tower sections.

4. A tower assembly comprising:

a. a plurality of vertically stacked tower sections each of which includes a pair of upright oppositely arranged primary frame structures,

b. a primary post member at each end of a primary frame structure,

c. a pair of upright frame units connectable between each opposite pair of said primary post members,

d. first coacting means on said primary post members and frame units for supporting said frame units at selected positions longitudinally thereof on said primary post members to provide for a predetermined variation in the spacing between said primary frame structures,

e. a pair of secondary upright frame structures corresponding to said primary frame structures,

f. a secondary post member at each end of a secondary frame structure, and g. second coacting means on said secondary post members and frame units for connecting said secondary frame structures in a spaced parallel relation with and adjacent to a corresponding primary frame structure.

5. The tower assembly according to claim 4 including:

a. a tower unit comprised of a pair of oppositely arranged primary frame structures interconnected with a pair of said frame units by said first coacting means, and

b. means for supporting said tower unit on the uppermost one of said tower sections with the primary post members of said uppermost tower section in vertical alignment with the primary post members of said tower unit whereby the tower assembly may carry a load on said primary post members independently of any load carried on said secondary post members.

6. The tower assembly according to claim 4 including:

a. a tower unit comprised of a pair of oppositely arranged secondary frame structures interconnected by said second coacting means with a pair of said frame units, and

b. means for supporting said tower unit on the uppermost one of said tower sections with the secondary post members of said uppermost tower section in vertical alignment with the secondary post members of said tower unit where by the tower assembly may carry a load on said secondary post members independently of any load carried on said primary post members. 

1. A tower assembly comprising: a. a plurality of vertically stacked tower sections each of which includes a pair of upright oppositely arranged primary frame structures, b. a primary post member at each end of a primary frame structure, c. a pair of upright frame units connectable between each opposite pair of said primary post members, d. first coacting means on said primary post members and frame units for supporting said frame units at selected positions longitudinally thereof on said primary post members to provide for a predetermined variation in the spacing between said primary frame structures, e. a secondary upright frame structure corresponding to a first one of said primary frame structures, f. a secondary post member at each end of said secondary frame structure, and g. second coacting means on said secondary post members and frame units for supporting said secondary frame structure in a spaced parallel relation with and adjacent said first primary frame structure.
 2. A tower assembly according to claim 1 wherein: a. each tower section includes a second secondary upright frame structure corresponding to the second one of said primary frame structures, b. each second secondary upright frame structure connected by said second coacting means with said frame units in a spaced parallel relation with and adjacent to a corresponding second primary frame structure.
 3. The tower assembly according to claim 1 including: a. a tower unit comprised of a secondary frame structure and a second one of said primary frame structures interconnected by said first and second coacting means with a pair of said frame units, and b. means for supporting said tower unit on the uppermost one of said tower seCtions with the primary post members of the second primary frame structures and the secondary post members of said uppermost tower section in vertical alignment with corresponding primary post members and secondary post members of said tower unit, whereby the tower assembly may carry a load on said tower unit independently of any load carried on the primary post members of the first primary frame structures of said tower sections.
 4. A tower assembly comprising: a. a plurality of vertically stacked tower sections each of which includes a pair of upright oppositely arranged primary frame structures, b. a primary post member at each end of a primary frame structure, c. a pair of upright frame units connectable between each opposite pair of said primary post members, d. first coacting means on said primary post members and frame units for supporting said frame units at selected positions longitudinally thereof on said primary post members to provide for a predetermined variation in the spacing between said primary frame structures, e. a pair of secondary upright frame structures corresponding to said primary frame structures, f. a secondary post member at each end of a secondary frame structure, and g. second coacting means on said secondary post members and frame units for connecting said secondary frame structures in a spaced parallel relation with and adjacent to a corresponding primary frame structure.
 5. The tower assembly according to claim 4 including: a. a tower unit comprised of a pair of oppositely arranged primary frame structures interconnected with a pair of said frame units by said first coacting means, and b. means for supporting said tower unit on the uppermost one of said tower sections with the primary post members of said uppermost tower section in vertical alignment with the primary post members of said tower unit whereby the tower assembly may carry a load on said primary post members independently of any load carried on said secondary post members.
 6. The tower assembly according to claim 4 including: a. a tower unit comprised of a pair of oppositely arranged secondary frame structures interconnected by said second coacting means with a pair of said frame units, and b. means for supporting said tower unit on the uppermost one of said tower sections with the secondary post members of said uppermost tower section in vertical alignment with the secondary post members of said tower unit where by the tower assembly may carry a load on said secondary post members independently of any load carried on said primary post members. 